Mother's sentence was overly punitive

I, too, am disgusted with Judge Joel Greenblatt and the entire Cook County judicial system for adding travesty on top of tragedy in the case of Bonnie Liltz.

What purpose does this overly punitive sentence have? Does this frail woman pose a grievous threat to society? Does anyone believe that she would have been given this severe a sentence by any judge that might have the wisdom to understand her physical and mental condition, the anguish and suffering she had already endured and therefore show some compassion?

Even the prosecutors recommended probation. Now we find out that the judge, in passing sentence, hastily revoked her bond thus sending her to a prison that was not prepared to handle her ostomy pouch changing, resulting in a serious infection that required hospitalization. How degrading to her dignity is that?

Who, in their right mind, would do that to anyone? Was it necessary to show her a lesson?

The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. What the judge did to Bonnie Liltz sure looks like cruel and unusual punishment to me.

Sentences by Cook County judges must conform to the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. I agree with reader Denkewalter and will also be voting "NO" on Judge Joel Greenberg when/if he comes up again on the judicial retention ballot. But, more importantly, this sentence needs to be reviewed for constitutionality.

I applaud the Daily Herald for its' coverage of this case.

Alfred R. Piskorski

Arlington Heights